Golf course? One more reason to say NO

There is one good reason why the Penang government should avoid the new proposed golf course. WATER. We cannot afford to screw up our number one natural resource: water.

CNN reported today that the United State's National Intelligence Director, Mike McConnell, is expected to paint a bleak picture on the global challenges when he meets president-elect Barack Obama in an intelligence briefing.

Economic and population growth will strain resources. According to McConnell, demand is projected to outstrip the easily available supplies over the next decade. The intelligence forecast indicates oil and gas supplies will continue to dwindle and production will be concentrated in unstable areas.

And there appears to be no quick relief at hand. Studies have shown that new energy technologies (biofuels, clean coal and hydrogen) generally take 25 years to become commercially viable and widespread.

The lack of access to safe, reliable water will reach unprecedented levels over the next 20 years and 1.4 billion people in 36 countries are likely to face water shortages that will have a substantial impact on food production. "Climate change is expected to exacerbate those resource scarcities," he said.